AUCKLAND: A clear message about climate change in the Micronesian nation of Kiribati…..a people who are uncertain of their future on an island affected by rising sea levels…and it is getting worse…

A seminar hosted by the Pacific Media Centre at AUT University on March 11, 2015, addressed the challenges and ethics of climate change reporting in the Pacific and the role that media play.

The Kiribati Independent journalist and one of two guest speakers, Taberannang Korauaba, says Pacific people are linked to their land in a cultural and spiritual way…that makes news of climate change hard to report.

“When the media is trying to work to cover the story, people don’t want to hear that because they don’t want to hear stories about, ‘they’re sinking, they’re going to die’, so that’s one reason that is causing the breaking down of communication.

Former science journalist and now communication specialist Dr Jan Sinclair says local media focus more on the politics… but in NZ and Australia they’re allowing politicians to define the problem and politicians say that’s it’s a big international problem but its not our problem…

Audio report: Pacific Media Watch editor Alistar Kata

Opening music: “Climate Change”, Brian Taki, Kiribati

Audio report: Pacific Media Centre, School of Communication Studies, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand. www.pmc.aut.ac.nz

Selwyn Manning, BCS (Hons.) MCS (Hons.) is an investigative political journalist with 23 years media experience. He specializes in reportage and analysis of socioeconomics, politics, foreign affairs, and security/intelligence issues.
Selwyn has extensive experience as a commentator and has provided live political analysis to a wide range of television and radio organizations broadcasting in New Zealand, Australia and globally including the BBC (Five Live, London) and BBC (World Service). He is currently a correspondent to Australia's FiveAA radio, and is a regular live-on-air panelist on Radio New Zealand's The Panel with broadcaster Jim Mora.